Waterfowl stamp contest - Design just duckyBy Paul A. Smith, Outdoors Editor, JSOnlinePosted: Oct. 10, 2009
Craig Fairbert of Ladysmith has won the 2010 Wisconsin Waterfowl Stamp contest for his painting of wood ducks.
The result of the annual contest was announced Tuesday by the Department of Natural Resources. Twenty-three entries were received this year.
Judges included Tim Grunewald of Wisconsin Ducks Unlimited, Kevin Wallenfang of Wisconsin Pheasants Forever and Lloyd Eagan, DNR South Central regional director.
Fairbert is an avid angler and hunter who works as an artist for a screen-printing company. He has gained distinction as a wildlife artist in recent years and has won many state stamp competitions, including the 2005 Wisconsin Great Lakes Trout stamp, 2007 Wisconsin Inland Trout stamp, 2008 Wisconsin Pheasant Stamp and 2009 Wisconsin Turkey Stamp.
In winning the waterfowl stamp contest, in his fourth attempt, he fulfilled his goal to win all five Wisconsin wildlife stamps.
Fairbert also won the Colorado Waterfowl Stamp contest this year for a depiction of Barrow's goldeneyes.
Robert Metropulos of Minocqua took second place in the Wisconsin competition with a painting of a pair of pintails. Third place was awarded to Greg McGowan of Trempealeau.
Proceeds from the sale of the $7 Wisconsin Waterfowl Stamps are used for developing, managing, preserving, restoring and maintaining wetland habitat in Wisconsin and Canada for waterfowl and other wildlife species.
Wisconsin duck and goose hunters are required to purchase "stamp approval" through the Automated Issuance License System in order to have a valid license but will not receive an actual stamp unless they request it. DNR service centers will have the stamps available for free to everyone with stamp approval.
Others interested in the stamp, whether to support wildlife management or for collecting purposes, are encouraged to purchase them from DNR service centers.
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/outdoors/63895557.html
